After the dust had settled, a 33-year-old man was dead in the parking lot of a Walgreen's drugstore, where a crowd had gathered to watch fireworks shortly before 10 p.m.
Witnesses provided different accounts of what happened, but preliminary reports indicate multiple gunshots rang out as fireworks exploded in the sky after a gunman approached the victim from behind and shot him at close range in the head and upper torso.

According to Worcester police, "numerous children" were present at the time of the shooting, the city's 7th homicide this year. No other injuries were reported. Police said the incident happened at about 9:42 p.m. in the parking lot of Walgreens, 220 Grafton St.

Detectives and crime-scene officers secured the shooting site and began combing the the area for cluses. Numerous people were interviewed at the crime scene and at police headquarters.

"A male suspect walked up from behind the victim and fired at the victim. Many people nearby began to panic and run from the scene," police said in a statement Tuesday night. The victim fell to the ground and died shortly thereafter, police said.

Investigators have yet to get a good description of the gunman, due to conflicting reports about his physical characteristics. Police said they are probing the circumstances leading up to the homicide, the city's seventh this year.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Worcester Police Department at (508) 799-8651. Anonymous tips may be sent via text message to 274637 TIPWPD, followed by the sender's message.